Unit 4: The Age of the Viking Wars

Readings and Activities

• Read Moody, chapter 6, pages 67-80
• Read Titley, Fiannaíocht (19-21), Irruptions (29-34)
• Read Dunne, The Viking Terror (196), Lament of Liadan (374-375), The Hag of Beare (369-372)
• Read Arnold, part of chapter 2, pages 36-40
• Read the following (electronic reserve):
  The Boyhood Deeds of Finn
  Finn Joins the Fianna
  The Viking Terror
  The Old Woman of Beare
  Liadain
• Retrieve and read the following article from UMD’s electronic database:
  Beaverson, Georgia. The Fury of the Northmen. Christian History,
  vol. 17, no. 4 (Nov 1998), page 41.
• Consult the following helpful web site:
  http://www.rootsweb.com/~irlkik/ihm/iremaps.htm

Assignments

Answer all nine of the following:

1. A decision about the nature of your project is due this week, and some discussion about exactly how you will work it out. Your complete plan and your signed contract will be due week six.
2. You have four different translations of the "Viking Terror." (Moody, Titley, Dunne, and electronic reserve) In your opinion, which gives a greater sense of relief? Why? Which makes the Viking invaders more terrifying? Why? Which do you prefer? Why?
3. How did the internal conflict between Irish dynasties help and/or hinder Viking invasions and settlements?
4. Describe a number of the north/south disputes and their outcome.
5. List the contributions the Norsemen had made by the end of the 10th century.
6. Look at the map of AD 800 (The Viking Era) and compare it the map on this page: http://www.wesleyjohnston.com/users/ireland/maps/island_physical.gif Why would the Vikings have chosen the landings they did?
7. Describe the flourish of Irish art in the 9th and 10th centuries. Is it because of or in spite of the Viking invasion? Why (not)?
8. Describe Finn mac Cumhall. How does he compare to Cuchuliann?
9. Place names that end in -ford and -ster are Norse influenced names. The provinces of Munster (Mumu), Leinster (Laigin) and Ulster (Ulaid) are Viking-influenced names. What other places bear the Norse influence in their names?

Choose one of the following:

1. Compare "The Lament of Liadan" (Dunne) with the O'Connor translation on reserve. Which translation do you like better? Why? Which seems more tragic?
2. Compare "The Hag of Beare" (Dunne) to "The Old Woman of Beara" on reserve. In what ways are these two poelms alike? Different? Which do you prefer? Why?